The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-10

the NOrIn AIIanIc AT % degrees.
We were on a great ocean high
way, crossed and recrossed BY En-
glish, American. Dutch and French
ships, to and from all parts of the
world; and bad indeed would our
| fortune be and baleful the star under
which we sailed, if we were not over
] hauled in a short time and assistance
/ rendered us.
A great though unexpressed am
bition of mine was to save the ship and
navigate her myself, not necessarily
to England. but 70 some port whence
l could communicate with her owners
and ask for instructions.
As | have elsewhere admitted, l was
entirely dependent on my profession,
my father having been a retired army
surgeon, who had died extremely
poor, leaving me at the age of twelve
an orphan, with no other friend in the
world than the vicar of the parish
we dwelt in, who generously sent me
to school for two years at his own eX-
pense, and then, after sounding my
Inclinations. apprenticed me to the
sea.
Under such circumstances, there
fore, it would be highly advantageous
to my interests to save the ship, since
my doing so would prefer some def
mite claims upon the attention of the
owners. or perhaps excite the notice of
another firm more generous in their
| dealings with their servants, and of a
higher commercial standing.
While | stood dreaming in this man
ner at the wheel beheld a figure ad-
vance along the poop, and on its ap-
proach l perceived the boatswain.
1--WE been sounding the well, Mr..
Royle," said he. 81 reused up on a
! sudden and went and did it, as | woke
up anxious; and there's bad news, sir
twelve inches o. water"
Twelve inchesm | cried.
''It's true enough. | found the
bull s-eye on the cuddy table, and the
rod don't tell no lies when it's proper
ly used"
The pumps suck at four inches.
don't they?"
Yes, sir"
Then that's rise of eight inches
since half-past nine clock. What time
is it now?"
Twenty minutes arter ten"
1--WE must man the pumps at once.
Call Cornish. You'll find the steward
on mattress against the companion
ladder"
He paused moment to look round
him ut the weather, and then went
away.
could not doubt now that the ship
was leaky. and after what we had en-
dured. and my fond expectation of saw
ing the vessel-and the miserable death
after all our hopes, that might be in
store for u.s. felt that it was very
hard on us, and l yielded to fit of
despair.
What struck home most to me was
that my passionate dream to save
Mary Robertson might be defeated.
Yet hope springs eternal. and after
few minutes my despair was mastered
by reflection. If the ship made no
more than eight inches of water in
thrce-quarters of an hour it would be
possible to keep her afOat for several
days by regular spells at the pump and
there were four of us to pump if Miss
Robertson steered while we worked.
Presently heard the men pumping
and the boatSwain's voice singing to
encourage the others. What courage
that man had. l who tell this story,
am ashamed of the prominence / give
to my own small actions when all the
heroism belongs to him.
Aroused by the sound of the pump
ing Miss Robertson came on deck
swathed in a big warm overcoat and
fur cap.
"Is the water still coming into the
Ship" she asked.
1.-The bosom has reported to me that
eight inches deep have come into her
since hslf-past nine"
lis that mUch?''
More than we want
Il don't like to trouble you with my
questions, Mr.. ROyle; but L am very,
very anxious.
- "Of course you are; and do not sup
pose that you can trouble. Ask me
what you will. promise to tell you
the truth"
If you find you can not pump the
water out as fast as it comes in, what
Will you dO?''
Leave the ship"
"How?" she exclaimed, looking
around her.
by that quarter-boat there
But it would fill with water and
sink in such waves as these"
These waves are not going to last.
and it is quite likely that by this time
tomorrow, the sea will be calm"
"Will the ship keep atloat until to-
morrow"
IF the water does not come in more
rapidly that it does at present the ship
will keep afloat so long as we can
manage to pump her out every hour.
And 50. said |, laughing to encour-
age her, 1--WE are not going to die all
at once, YOU see.
She drew quite close to me, and said:
Il shall never fear death while you
remain on board, Mr.. RoyIe. You
have saved me from death once, and
though | may be wicked in daring TO
propheSy, yet feel certain-certain,"
she repeated, with singular emphasis,
THAT you will save my life again"
II shall try very hard, be sure of
that, | answered.
Il believe-no, it is not so much
belief as a strong conviction, with |
which my mind seems to have nothing
to do-that, whatever dangers may be
before us, you and will not perish"
She paused, and saw that she was
looking at me earnestly.
You will not think me superstitious
if tell you that the reason of my con-
viction is dream? Ny poor father
came and stood beside me; he WAS so
real! l stretched out my arms to him,
and he took my hand and said: .DarI- |